More drug and detox centres urgently needed
The Kiwi Party
Press Release
Kiwi Party candidate for Hamilton East, Robyn Jackson, fully supports Stephen King from the Alcohol and Drug Community
Support Trust in his call for more specialised residential care facilities and a move away from the government’s harm
reduction policy in its current form. “Needle exchanges for example are hugely important to maintain from a harm
reduction perspective” says King “ however its time to face the fact that for many the harm reduction strategy is not
working and the sooner it is changed to increase timely access to rehabilitation services the better” .
“Drug abuse has a direct link to our crime rates, such as burglary, child abuse, and the shocking increase of violent
crime in this nation. We must focus on our drug problem if we are to improve the safety and well being of our society,”
says the Kiwi Party Candidate.
Our party is fully committed to establishing further detox and rehabilitation centres for those struggling with alcohol
and drug addictions, as well as supporting those already established. .This will give quicker and more comprehensive
help when needed, not just a patch up job,”
“We need to urgently address the country's lack of detox centres as a performer to residential rehabilitation. Families
must be involved in the treatment process for success and yet have somewhere for their loved ones in a time of crisis.
We must do all we can to ensure they get the very best care to start on the road to being set free from the hideous
addictions of ‘P’ and Alcohol which are causing havoc in our communities. It is not good enough for people to simply
visit a community agency once a week” says Jackson .
“Specialised residential care centres in our city like the Community Support Trust must be given the funding they need
to provide adequate and timely interventions. This type of centre offers the multi-systemic approach essential to
overcome drug and alcohol problems. Overseas experience shows that faith based and community centred models give the
best results”.
ENDS